Construction companies can’t afford to scrimp on jobsite safety because even a single accident comes at too high a price, say industry professionals and insurers.
However, the growing availability of safety wearables, site sensors, exoskeletons, image-generating drones and other safety-oriented systems raises a key question: Are the results they provide worth the costs, particularly among contractors with limited dollars at their disposal?
As expected, the answers vary. Insurers and risk-management consultants such as Schaumburg, Ill.-based Zurich North America continually take a “fresh look” at safety plans and operations, assisting contractors of all sizes in identifying initiatives best suited for reducing their exposure, says James Boileau, construction segment director with Zurich.